In this Month's Issue:

The Remarkable Women of Taos and Northern New Mexico

Presidents Weekend in Taos

Filmapalooza Features Screenings of 48-Hour Films

The Highest Altitude Field in North America is in Taos

High Altitude Triathlon Kicks Off The 2012 Season in Taos

26th Annual Taos Winter Wine Festival

Wow Your Sweetheart this February

Spring Break in Taos

Unique Gifts and Shopping at the Taos Fiber Marketplace

Everything you need to Spruce up Your Home and Garden

Upcoming events at the Taos Center for the Arts

Catch the Taos Express

Taos Calendar of Events

Enchanted Circle Calendar of Events

Remarkable Women of Taos & Northern New Mexico Yearlong Celebration of Creative, Exceptional Women

Georgia O’Keeffe with “Pelvis Series, Red with Yellow” and the Desert, 1960, by Tony Vaccaro, Color photograph, 18 1/2 x13 7/8 inches, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, ©Tony Vaccaro

On March 22, 2012 actress, activist and Northern New Mexico resident Marsha Mason and other notables will launch the yearlong Remarkable Women of Taos and Northern New Mexico program at the Harwood Museum. Remarkable Women focuses on exploring, celebrating and experiencing the exceptional and adventurous women who have been drawn to the freedom and beauty of Taos and Northern New Mexico for decades, particularly artists. The commencement honors what would have been the 100th birthday of well-known remarkable woman of Taos, Agnes Martin—the internationally celebrated mid-century painter—and the Harwood will showcase an exhibition of her little-known early works.

Beginning in January 2012, behind-the-scenes art tours and exhibitions featuring the remarkable women begin—all part of the community-wide celebration of the transformative Taos mystique. 2012 also marks the Centennial of New Mexico’s Statehood, with the March 22nd kick off as an official State of NM Centennial Committee event www.NMCentennial.org.

Creative women—visual, literary, musical—have been continually inspired by Taos and its Northern New Mexico location; a host of special museum and gallery exhibitions affirm this truth. Taos has attracted and inspired many who seek societal, artistic and personal freedom to invent, or reinvent, themselves.

“I came here to get away from a whole lot of stuff that could have turned me into a person that I wouldn't have been comfortable with as I got older,” said Ali MacGraw, actor and Northern New Mexico resident. “I think that's true of many, in particular women, in New Mexico. I know many, many, many of them who have almost reinvented themselves, maybe not in the dramatic self-conscious way that Mabel Dodge Luhan did, but we all know that there's a bunch of stuff that has to get shucked.”

The impressive list of remarkable women includes Taos Modernist Beatrice Mandelman, arts patron and salon hostess Mabel Dodge Luhan, the drop-dead gorgeous high society model, designer and Standard Oil heiress Millicent Rogers, and renowned San Ildefonso Pueblo potter Maria Martinez. For a full listing of events, self-guided itineraries and additional information about the 2012 celebration visit www.taos.org/women

Filmapalooza Features Screenings of 48-Hour Films

Taos has been the backdrop for dozeins of movies including Easy Rider, Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid,  No Country For Old Men, and Terminator Salvation, to name a few. It's only fitting, that Taos be the site for the grand finale of the 48 Hour Film Project. The Taos Shortz Film Festival and the Harwood Museum present “Filmapalooza,” the year-end screening and awards ceremony for the 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP).

The 48HFP is a wild and sleepless weekend in which filmmakers together with their teams make movies—write, shoot, edit and score them— all in 48 hours. Filmapalooza will feature the winning films from all 100 48HFP cities on five continents. Filmapalooza takes place during the Taos Shortz Film Festival March 2 - March 5, 2012

The award-winning national and international filmmakers along with film and cinema enthusiasts will converge in Taos for the honor of winning the International Best Film award. The award-winning films will then be screened in the Harwood's Arthur Bell Auditorium, April 28, at 7 pm.

This year’s Taos Shortz will be held March 1-4, 2012. For information on the events go to www.taosshortz.com and www.48hourfilm.com/filmapalooza.

Calendar             

January 21, 2012
Sipapu's 60th Anniversary Party
Join us as Sipapu celebrates 60 years of family friendly fun! We'll be honoring our legendary funky history with some fun old-school events. All events are free to everyone and begin at 11 am. www.sipapunm.com
Location: Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort

January 25, 2012
Taos Masters Now
The Taos Art Museum at Fechin House presents Taos Living Legends: Magnificent Masters. Artwork by living artists. This is only a sampling of the vast crop of masters that can be shwon. This is a free event. www.taosartmuseum.org
Location: The Taos Art Museum

February 11, 2012
Subaru Master the Mountain Event
Free ski lessons, ski patrol demonstrations and lots of giveaways throughout the weekend!
Location: Taos Ski Valley

February 11, 2012
Valentines Day Workshop at the Harwood
Create handmade, artisitic valentines for the holiday. This is open to all ages and runs from 1 am to noon.
Location: Harwood Museum of Art

February 16 through 21, 2011
Mardi Gras in the Mountains
Red River knows how to celebrate Mardi Gras! Daily parades with colorful floats complete with krewes constume tossing Mardi Gras beads. Creole music and spicy Cajun cooking. Laisse le bon temps roule! www.redriver.org
Location: The Streets of Red

Celebrate Presidents Weekend in Taos

For families with children, explore Taos’ toy store and play space, Twirl for one of their free weekly classes and activities, www.twirlhouse.com. For sustainably grown, local produce visit the Red Willow Winter Farmers Market at 885 Starr Road on Taos Pueblo. Please note the Taos Pueblo does close from late winter to early spring, so please call ahead before visiting, 575-758-1028.

Or stay a little longer to cultivate your creative side with the SOMOS Winter Writers Series at the Harwood on February 23rd. www.somostaos.org.

To plan your memorable Presidents Weekend go to www.taos.org.

High Altitude Triathlon Kicks Off The 2012 Season in Taos

The first triathlon to be held in Taos at 7,400 feeet will be a USAT certified Super Sprint on April 14.  Participants can push themselves to the limit with over a 1,000 foot elevation on the bike portion and enjoy a 3.4-mile run, 13.6-mile bike and a 400-yard swim.

In the evening take a well-deserved rest with the Tri Taos music festival, featuring great Taos acts. Save the date now and get your weekend stay booked with one of the sponsor hotels, El Monte Sagrado, The Historic Taos Inn or Hotel La Fonda.

For more information, go to www.chasing3.com. To register visit nmsportsonline.com.

Upcoming Events at The Taos Center for the Arts

Taos’ newly renovated Taos Center for the Arts (TCA) has a myriad of offerings for the upcoming 2012 season including, art shows, opera and movies.

In January, visitors will enjoy a broadcast of the National Theatre London production of “Collaborators.” John Hodge’s blistering new play depicts a lethal game of cat and mouse through which the appalling compromises and humiliations inflicted on any artist by those with power are held up to scrutiny.

Also in January the TCA presents, “Amigos.” The 17th feature film from Academy Award-nominated writer-director John Sayles, stars legendary Filipino actor Joel Torre as Rafael, a village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War.

Running through February 2012, the Third Annual Taos Self Portraits will be on display in the Encore Gallery at the TCA.  This juried show features various types of media including drawing, painting, sculpture and mixed media. Get ready for an eclectic display of Taos’ artists.

The Highest Altitude Field in North America is in Taos

2012 promises to be an active year as well at the Park with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) spring season soccer showdown in April and the Western College Development Association (WCDA) regular season soccer also in April. This beautiful field is the only one of its kind in North America and is available for events throughout the year. Visit www.taosecopark.com or www.taossportsalliance.com for details.

the Taos Express

Catch the Taos Express to kick-off your unique, Taos experience. This relaxing, lower cost, greener alternative to taking your own car is a non-stop weekend connection between Taos and Santa Fe—round trip only $10. Kids 10 and under with an adult ride free.

Click here to view in web browser

COMBINE WORLD-CLASS SKIING & FINE WINES

The 26th Annual Taos Winter Wine Festival is sure to have people find the perfect balance of some of the best skiing in the world with some of the world's best wines. End a great day of skiing with wine-focused seminars led by winemakers from around the world, several wine tastings, and nightly dinners with tasty delectables from Taos' finest restaurants.

The Winter Wine Festival will feature over 150 wines from 30 wineries. A silent auction of rare wines will also be held to benefit the Taos Community Auditorium.

The festival will be held January 25 through January 28 in the breathtaking Taos Ski Valley. Contact Greg O'Byrne at 505-438-8060, visit www.taoswinterwinefest.com or become a fan on Facebook  for a complete listing of seminars and events.

Wow Your Sweetheart With a Trip to Taos

Plan a romantic getaway to idyllic Taos for Valentine’s Day. The snowy scenery provides the perfect backdrop for our hot deals that are guaranteed to woo your mate.

Visit giftnm.com for romantic gift ideas all under $99. From massages and gourmet meals to great hotel packages, you’ll find everything you need to plan the perfect getaway for you and yours. Most offers are valid through March 2012.

In addition, other vacation packages are available at www.taos.org/vacation-specials and www.taos-pillow-packages.com. A romantic three-night stay at the Historic Taos Inn or a wintry getaway at the Resort at Taos is the perfect way to say, “I love you.”

Discover Why So Many Take Their Spring Break in Taos

It feels exotic, it's gorgeous and it’s a great travel value with excellent snow, accommodations, and entertainment— it’s all in Taos for Spring Break Getaways.

With an average temperature of 52º to 70º in the spring months, Taos offers a unique spring break option, without breaking the bank. Whether you’re interested in renting a cabin with a group of friends for a ski vacation,  spa services with the girls, dancing the night away, shopping on the Plaza, enjoying museum exhibits, ice skating, catching up on first run movies or getting in a great family vacation taking in the crisp mountain air, there’s something for every spring breaker to enjoy.

Staying in town is a perfect accompaniment to a great day on the slopes. With world-class restaurants, shops, museums and galleries, regardless of whether your group is skiing, snowboarding, or relaxing, everyone can have a great stay in Taos this winter. A shuttle carries visitors between the ski valley and the Town of Taos (26 miles each way) for just $1 round trip.

To plan your trip, go to taos.org/visit/itineraries and view our samplings of unique self-guided itineraries.  We have half-day and full-day itineraries, a Wild Wild West itinerary, a Taos in the movies itinerary and another that features the Remarkable Women of Taos.

Whether you’re looking to decompress after a long semester or ski and snowboard until you drop, you’ll find wonderful activities, events and sunsets in Taos!  Even better, Taos is a quick road trip from many locations.

Find your city from the list below to begin planning:
• Albuquerque 135 miles/ 2.15 hours
• Amarillo 302 miles / 5 hours
• Dallas 682 miles / 11 hours
• Denver 300 miles / 5 hours
• Durango 208 miles / 3 hours
• El Paso 400 miles / 6 hours
• Oklahoma City 559 miles / 8.15 hours
• Phoenix 568 miles / 8.30 hours
• Salt Lake City 594 miles / 10 hours
• Santa Fe 72 miles / 1.15 hours
• Tucson 579 miles / 8.45 hours
• Vail / Breckinridge 270 miles / 4 hours

For more information on getting to Taos, go to  taos.org/visit/getting-to-taos.

Taos Fiber Marketplace Offers Unique

Classes/Shopping/Gifts
Taos and the surrounding villages in northern New Mexico are known for being “fiber” destinations. In keeping with the tradition of fiber arts, the Taos Fiber Marketplace will be held at the Taos Convention Center in the heart of the historic Taos Plaza.

Those passionate about the fiber arts or interested in the marketplace can visit over 40 vendors, with supplies, demonstrations and social spaces where fiber artists can sit, spin, knit and share their tips. Mark your calendar for April 20 through 22, 2012. Marketplace hours are 9 am to 6 pm on Friday and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.taosfibermarketplace.com.

Find Everything You Need to Spruce Up Your Home & Garden

The Taos Chamber of Commerce will host the Taos Home and Garden Expo the weekend of April 7. The event will feature area businesses offering everything you need for your home including: financing options, construction services, interior / exterior designers, landscaping, utilities, electronics, and much more. Visit www.taoschamber.com for additional details.

January 27 to 29, 2012
Big Ol' Texas Weekend
Great live music, fun contests, both on and off the mountain and great food. There is always a lot of fun as Angel Fire celebrates our Texas friends! There are plans for a Texas Hold 'Em Tournament, and once again we have the Steak Eating Challenge from the Big Texan Steak House from Amarillo, Texas. Can you eat a 72 oz. steak in one sitting? 800-633-7463 or 575-377-6401, www.AngelFireResort.com/Winter     
Location: Angel Fire Resort Ski Area

February 3 to 5, 2012
Southwest Snowkite Fest
This President's Day weekend picture being harnessed onto a big kite with a snowboard or skis on your feet, sailing across Eagle Nest Lake! Whew! Certified instructors in this cutting edge sport will be on hand to demonstrate and give lessons. www.snowkitefestival.com or 577-377-2420
Location: Eagle Nest Lake State Park

February 4, 2012
Moonlight Ski & Snowshoe
Enjoy an 8 km ski to some of our best views, followed by homemade cookies, hot chocolate, and other hot drinks. Reservations are required. 575-754-6112 or www.enchantedforestxc.com
Location: Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Area

February 25, 2012
Just Desserts Eat & Ski
Enchanted Forest puts homemade desserts from fine restaurants in Red River out on a five-kilometer course for skiers and snowshoers to enjoy. There is no competition involved, although participants are advised not to start too late. Popular concoctions include: Chocolate Buttercream Torte, Frangipane (Pear Tart), Triple Chocolate Kahlua Espresso Cake, White Chocolate Cranberry Bars, Wild Blueberry Pie, Caramel Cream Avalanche, Rum Cake, Fudge, Cinnamon Rolls, and much more! 575-754-6112 or www.enchantedforestxc.com
Location: Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Area